Z1 Shooting white cloth on a black background in studio at DVinfo.net

Paolo Jones · September 13th, 2008, 04:03 PM

I'm going to shoot actors (caucasian skin tones) in white cloth, in studio, on a black background.

We all know that white cloth is not the best in video...

Does anyone has any advice about lighting or perhaps camera settings ?

I am shooting in HD. Thanks a lot, Paolo.

Adam Gold · September 15th, 2008, 02:19 PM

Experiment with the SPOTLIGHT setting and make sure you use your zebras.

Paolo Jones · September 16th, 2008, 08:00 AM

Thanks Adam I will try the SPOTLIGHT setting.

Will you say that I should use the zebra at 70 % and get the highest tone of the skin tone just starting to get zebra ?

In general, I 'll say it's better to have the skin tone with a good exposure and the white clothes a little over exposed, am I right?

Or should I expose the white clothes right and get the skin tone a little under exposed?

Thanks, Paolo.

Ervin Farkas · September 16th, 2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paolo Jones

In general, I 'll say it's better to have the skin tone with a good exposure and the white clothes a little over exposed, am I right? Or should I expose the white clothes right and get the skin tone a little under exposed?

Matter of taste I guess, I would not overexpose anything. On the contrary, I would set my zebra to 85 or 90 and let nothing go above.

Either way, it's going to be a heck of a difficult shot to edit. To Adam's advice I would add, try using actual spotlights on the talent's face and minimize the brightness of the white clothes.

Adam Gold · September 16th, 2008, 10:42 AM

I think either way would probably work. You should probably experiment a bit to see what's easiest to handle in post. I agree with Ervin that I'd go darker rather than lighter. Once the highlights are blown out there's no way to get them back.

Paolo Jones · September 16th, 2008, 07:17 PM

Did some test tonight. I'll try all this tomorrow morning! I agree with the too dark better than over exposed concept. Thank a lot. Paolo.

September 13th, 2008, 04:03 PM	#1
Paolo Jones New Boot Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York Posts: 5	Z1 Shooting white cloth on a black background in studio I'm going to shoot actors (caucasian skin tones) in white cloth, in studio, on a black background. We all know that white cloth is not the best in video... Does anyone has any advice about lighting or perhaps camera settings ? I am shooting in HD. Thanks a lot, Paolo.

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September 15th, 2008, 02:19 PM	#2
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Experiment with the SPOTLIGHT setting and make sure you use your zebras.

September 16th, 2008, 08:00 AM	#3
Paolo Jones New Boot Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York Posts: 5	Thanks Adam I will try the SPOTLIGHT setting. Will you say that I should use the zebra at 70 % and get the highest tone of the skin tone just starting to get zebra ? In general, I 'll say it's better to have the skin tone with a good exposure and the white clothes a little over exposed, am I right? Or should I expose the white clothes right and get the skin tone a little under exposed? Thanks, Paolo.

September 16th, 2008, 10:42 AM	#5
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	I think either way would probably work. You should probably experiment a bit to see what's easiest to handle in post. I agree with Ervin that I'd go darker rather than lighter. Once the highlights are blown out there's no way to get them back.

September 16th, 2008, 07:17 PM	#6
Paolo Jones New Boot Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York Posts: 5	Did some test tonight. I'll try all this tomorrow morning! I agree with the too dark better than over exposed concept. Thank a lot. Paolo.